Nearly three hours later, Haruto Amakawa had scoured several streets clean of the undead.
His level had risen to 20.
A tide of power surged within him, raw and intoxicating. It was as though, with a single command, he could freeze and shatter an entire street, leaving nothing but ruin behind.
If he hadn't held on to the fragments of humanity still anchoring him, he might have already given in to the temptation of senseless destruction.
"But now… the pace has slowed."
The higher he climbed, the heavier the climb became. That was expected. Strength was never meant to come easy.
He glanced at the pale glow of the system clock.
"An hour and a half left.
Time to return… and claim my reward."
The second trade had been fulfilled — three hours passed, and no one had died. The deal was sealed.
When Haruto returned, he found three figures huddled together on the couch, their bodies trembling beneath layers of blankets.
The sight pulled a faint amused smile to his lips.
The ice crystals he had woven around the house had done their job — keeping the horde at bay. But the price had been merciless cold, the kind that seeped into the bones.
With a thought, he sent a ripple through the frozen barricade. Outside, the ice shifted and groaned, shattering nearby houses beneath its weight. The oppressive chill in the air began to ease.
Without sparing the others a glance, Haruto turned and walked toward the lone closed door at the end of the hall.
Creak.
The hinges groaned as the door opened.
Takagi Saya and the others caught the briefest glimpse — a pale figure lying on the bed, still beneath the sheets.
Clang.
The door shut again, cutting them off from the room's heavy silence.
Inside, the air was warmer. The stillness stretched long, heavy enough to suffocate.
"…We should rest. Regain strength," Saya muttered, closing her eyes as if to retreat from the atmosphere.
Miyamoto Rei and Shizuka Marikawa exchanged weary glances before doing the same.
Inside the room.
As Haruto and Saeko stood face to face, the air crackled with tension. Haruto's hands reached out, cupping Saeko's face gently.
Her eyes, usually sharp and focused, were soft and vulnerable, reflecting a mix of anticipation and nervousness. He leaned in, his lips meeting hers in a tender, exploratory kiss that deepened with each passing second.
Saeko's arms snaked around his neck, pulling him closer. Her body pressed against his, and he could feel the rapid beat of her heart, mirroring his own.
Haruto's hands roamed her body, tracing the curves of her back, her waist, and finally resting on the soft swell of her hips.
He guided her to the bed, their bodies intertwining as they lay down together. His lips trailed from her mouth to her neck, leaving a path of gentle kisses and light nips.
Saeko gasped, her breath hitching as his hands found the hem of her shirt, slowly lifting it over her head. Her skin was warm and soft beneath his touch, and he took a moment to appreciate the beauty of her body, her breasts heaving with each ragged breath.
Haruto's fingers deftly unhooked her bra, and he pulled it away, revealing her perfect, round breasts. He captured one nipple in his mouth, swirling his tongue around the sensitive peak, drawing a moan from Saeko.
His hand moved to her other breast, teasing and kneading, eliciting soft gasps and whimpers of pleasure.
Saeko's hands fumbled with his belt,He helped her, quickly shedding his clothes until they were skin to skin, their bodies aligned perfectly. Haruto's hand slipped between her legs, finding her already wet and ready.
He stroked her gently, his fingers sliding through her folds, circling her clit until she was writhing beneath him, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
"Haruto-kun," she whispered, her voice a mix of plea and command. He positioned himself at her entrance, his eyes meeting hers. In that moment, they shared a silent understanding.
He pushed into her slowly, feeling her tight, virgin heat envelop him. Saeko's eyes widened, and she bit her lip, a soft hiss of pain escaping her.
Haruto paused, giving her time to adjust, his forehead resting against hers. He began to move, his hips rocking gently, his thrusts shallow and controlled.
Saeko's hands gripped his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh as she matched his rhythm, their bodies moving in sync.
The pain gave way to pleasure, and her moans filled the air, a symphony of desire and release. Haruto increased his pace, his thrusts becoming deeper and more urgent, chasing the edge of ecstasy.
Saeko's body tensed, her inner muscles clamping down on him as she cried out, her orgasm ripping through her. The sight and sound of her climax sent Haruto over the edge, and he thrust deep, his own release pulsing into her.
They lay there for a moment, their bodies entwined, their breaths mingling. Haruto pulled Saeko close, his arms wrapping around her protectively.
In that moment, amidst the chaos and danger of their world, they found a haven of peace and intimacy, a reminder of the connection that could thrive even in the darkest of times.
An hour passed.
Haruto exhaled slowly, his breath steady, his expression blank.
[Ding! Trade completed!]
The notification rang clear in his mind. The deal was done — exactly as the terms had been written. A one-time usage right, nothing more, nothing less.
He rose to leave, but Saeko's voice, soft yet steady, broke the silence.
"Haruto-kun… there's still time, isn't there?"
Haruto paused, eyes narrowing faintly. Surprise flickered in their depths, though his expression remained the same.
"The trade is already complete," he answered.
"…I know."
Her voice wavered, but resolve lingered within it.
Haruto studied her for a breath, then inclined his head ever so slightly.
"…Very well. As you wish."
The next morning, Haruto left feeling renewed, as though the night had refreshed him rather than dulled him.
The strength coursing through his body was undeniable — his physical abilities had leapt far beyond the reach of ordinary men.
The undead of that broken world had been excellent fuel. A fitting exchange.
Still, the chat group had gone silent after confirming the trade's completion, leaving only his own thoughts to echo.
Saeko Busujima. He gave her credit — her body had been tempered by years of discipline, steel honed by the blade of kendo. she was just perfect.
As he walked the familiar road to school, memories pressed in on him — the slope, the traffic lights, the patterned streets. Nothing had changed, and yet everything felt different.
A sudden breeze stirred. Cherry blossoms lifted into the air, scattering like fragments of light across the hillside.
Haruto raised his hand casually. A white beret landed in his palm.
"This feeling…" he murmured.
Looking up, he saw her.
At the crest of the hill stood a girl in a red top and white skirt. Her bob-cut hair swayed wildly in the wind as she pressed one hand to her skirt and the other to her hair.
The scene was framed like a painting — fleeting, but unforgettable.
Haruto's lips curved faintly.
"Megumi."
The girl smiled softly.
"Haruto-kun."
Kato Megumi. His classmate. The one everyone seemed to overlook, as if her very presence blurred at the edges of their perception.
He had once been the same. He had only remembered her because of the tricks he used — writing down fragments of her name, reminders to tether her existence to his memory.
At first, she had been "Kato." Later, as the distance shrank between them, "Megumi."
Now, though, something was different. The fog that once obscured her had lifted, as if his new abilities had stripped away the world's indifference to her.
For the first time, Haruto saw her clearly — vivid, undeniable.
And she was as cute as she is beautiful.